Are You a Lion or a Lamb?

March rolls in like a lion and out like a lamb, right?  I am hoping that the few days of warmer weather is an indication that the temps are going to start creeping up.  I am not a cold weather person!

Are you a busy mom?  Okay, I guess that is a silly question since ALL moms are busy.  How about a business owner on the go?  Maybe you have a child, tween or teen that is looking for a stylish bag?  Thirty One has some AMAZING options this season.

Spring is just around the corner BUT at Thirty One – SPRING HAS SPRUNG!  .

Why not get ready for spring and all of those outdoor activities with four of Thirty One’s crossbody styles.  They will keep your hands free for cheering on your favorite team, or shopping or just hanging out with friends..

Here are some options for you:

Want to be a hostess?

Did you know that for just $200 in orders, YOU can have a qualified party. Did you know that was only 6 orders of $35?  I know that you you want that HOSTESS Special set, right?  So let’s shoot for a $600 party – that is Thirty One’s average party. I LOVE home parties BUT I also do catalog/online, on the go and Facebook parties. Which one will fit into YOUR busy schedule?

 

Do you just LOVE to shop?

Thirty One’s Customer Special for March is FOUR of our cross body styles at 50% off with a $35 purchase. The 4 styles are the Tons of Funds, the Sling-Bag Bag, the Paris and the Organizing Shoulder bag.

Additional prints are available.

How about EARNing money? Want to join my team?

Looking for some me time?  Want to have some extra money to pay for all of those summer activities for the kids?  Want to have a “cash” vacation this summer?  For more details, click HERE.

 

Which option will you pick???

If you just want to get a heads up on monthly specials, play some games and maybe win some prizes, go to click HERE for my VIP Group – Hope’s Purse Closet.

Thank you to Christina’s Creations for the visual.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

MS Will Not Define Me!

 

Yes, I have been diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis).  This is not about having a “pity” party or being Negative Nellie.  This is about squashing those inner gremlins that want to let this life challenge defeat me.   Here is the medical definition:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.

Okay, let me back up just a little bit.  For years, I have been complaining about not being able to remember things.  As a recovering addict of 25+ years, I always said “the drugs killed my brain cells” and life went on.

Fast forward to about 3 years ago, hubby was admitted to CCU with congestive heart failure.  When he comes home, he says ” you are different”.  This statement haunted our relationship for years.  We had our ups and downs.  I talked about “not remembering things” to the doctor.  Other health issues arose: IBS, glaucoma, chest wall syndrome (yes, that is real), unexplained weight gain, loss of sex drive (yes, I am telling all), adjustment disorder with depression and periodontal disease. Believe it or not, I could handle it ALL.  The thing that caused me to break was the night hubby thought I wanted a divorce – the memory issues had gotten that bad.  I was devastated.  We spent the whole night talking while I cried trying to explain how bad the memory issue had become.  I can truly understand the frustration of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.  Thankfully, we had an appointment with the primary in just a few days.  Between hubby and I, we got him to listen to how bad things had really gotten.

On to the Neurologist.  First, I found out that I couldn’t walk a straight line even without my favorite glass of wine.  Then came the MRIs, the spinal tap, the blood tests, the EEG and the trip to Robert Wood Johnson – MS Center.  No treatment options YET!  It seems that I need to have more MRIs in 6 months to see how things progress.

Hubby has spent endless nights doing research.  I have connected with some amazing people locally who also are fighting this disease.  Looking for alternative ways to stay healthy  – trying the sugar free, gluten free and dairy free.  This is a struggle but it is about baby steps – I am at least cutting back.

I have a new WHY – to not let this thing called MS take over my life.  To use my business and my blog to encourage others who are struggling with this disease.  To bring a smile to the face of those who are struggling on the inside but on the outside look “normal”.

So what does it mean for me, my friends and my family.  They are learning to be more patient, not only with me but with each other.  We are learning that just because “I can’t remember”, it doesn’t mean that I don’t care.  We are learning to embrace each moment – pictures become more important than ever.  I am learning that “my planner” is the key to keeping my life in order.  I am learning that I can still have a successful business despite the memory issues – lots of notes, systems and a sense of humor.

Not to worry, I will not be filling my blog with “my life with MS” posts.  I will continue to share my strengths, hopes and experiences so that I might encourage others.

Thank you for taking the time to read today’s blog which is definitely more personal than I have written in a long time.  All I ask is that you keep me (and my family) in prayer, and be understanding when I give you that blank look that says “I should know you but I don’t”.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Thirty One 5th Anniversary

February 7th, 2011 – the first time I talked to Hope Shortt.  Some would call it stalking – I followed her on Facebook and I read about her when I Googled her name.  I already knew what an amazing person she was BEFORE I had this conversation. I told her that I wanted to join her Thirty One team. She asked me “what my why” was? I mean we ask people that all of the time, “What is YOUR why?”. I was nervous and this people pleasing person told her that I wanted to earn some extra money. No big dreams. I wanted to share the products at vendor shows, didn’t want to do home parties and really was not interested in having a team. The recruiting aspect was kind of taken care of because it was just one day prior to the FREEZE. WOW, that was a relief.  I had been doing craft/ vendor shows for over 20 years, so that was going to be easy.  Hope listened and said that she would be there to help when I needed her. No pressure just support and kindness.

I shared Thirty One at vendor events – selling but still NOT booking parties. I mean I had a full-time CRAZY busy job, who had time for home parties. Then my first TWO potential recruits. OMG!!! I was honest with both of them from the start.  I wasn’t doing home parties and I was going to learn along with them. Believe it or not, they still joined as soon as the freeze lifted and quickly qualified with $1,000 in sales each. I was a Senior Consultant.  I wasn’t sure what that meant but that was okay.   Then I got a home office lead that wanted a HOME PARTY! Panic set in… it was someone I didn’t know and I was clueless. I had never done a home party. I could do this… and I DID!  I stumbled my way through it – no additional booked parties or recruits but I had sales.  So that was okay.

My FIRST Thirty One National Conference in 2012 was where I set the goal and decided that I wanted to be in Leadership.  The goal was to be Director BEFORE National Conference 2013. All of those stats that say those who go to national conference earn more – TRUE! Those who go to national conference – PROMOTE – TRUE! October, 2012 I was DIQ and in January 2013, I was blessed to earn my $1,000 Director Bonus. It was a whirlwind time filled with lots of emotions.

National Conference 2013 with my daughter and members of the Rays of Hope Team.  I walked across stage and was CELEBRATED as a NEW Thirty One Director. Tears of joy flowed freely that weekend and continue each time I think back to the moment.  Hope Shortt, my National Executive Director, hugged me and the tears continued to flow.

Since that year, my why has changed so much.  I no longer work full-time but have a part-time job till my Thirty One business pays all of my bills.

I still struggle with my “why” and learning to DREAM BIG. Home parties are second nature.  I continue to work on personal development so that I can CELEBRATE – ENCOURAGE – REWARD my team. The biggest blessing from Thirty One is the restoration of a confidence in myself that I lost when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. Yes, I have earned FREE products! Yes, I have been able to pay off debt & travel as a result of my commission checks! Yes, I have found a sisterhood that I didn’t know existed in my Thirty One sisters! Yes, I have grown in my walk with God, learning to trust and believe that his will will be done in my business! These are all the things that Thirty One has blessed me with…. it CHANGED MY LIFE. Could it be the think that changes your life?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Will You Sponsor A Chemo Comfort Bag?

When I began my journey with Thirty One in 2011, my goal was to help others. Sometimes it was a fundraising project, or a donation at an event or giving to those who were in need. It didn’t matter whether it was a small goal or a HUGE goal, I wanted to help. As a result, I have been able to donate to various causes that are near and dear to my heart.

No, I am not telling you all of this to toot my own horn. I NEVER do any of these projects without the help of my AMAZING customers, hostesses, family and friends. Individuals who believe in the cause, or just want to help. Okay, can you guess where this is leading…. YOU GOT IT!

At the request of some friends concerning the growing need – I am looking for sponsors for Chemo Comfort Bags…

The $35 sponsorship will pay for the actual bag and I will use 100% of my commission to fill them with a variety of things like a blanket/scarf, notepad, pen, bottle of water, lotion, warm socks, chap stick and crossword puzzle book. Donations will be distributed to local cancer care centers to bring a smile to the face of those who are fighting this dreadful disease.

Last year, we delivered 31 bags to Ocean Medical Center in Brick. This year by January 20th, my goal is 50. We are halfway to our goal.  I know this is a HUGE jump but I am confident that we are up for the challenge. The bags will arrive in the beginning of February so that I can stuff them and deliver them around Valentine’s Day.

So, who is with me? For $35 you can bring a smile to someone who is fighting the cancer battle. This project is near and dear to my heart. It is a tribute to my Weston angels – Edythe, Elsie and Pop-pop – who all had cancer.

You can sponsor a bag in memory of someone, in honor of someone or just anonymously. Payments can be made via check or through Paypal at hopesgiftcloset@@comcast.net as a friend/family. I can also accept credit card payments directly.

Won’t you help to make a difference today?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Giving Back in 2016 – Chemo Comfort Bags

When I began my journey with Thirty One in 2011, my goal was to help others.  Sometimes it was a fundraising project, or a donation to an event or giving to those who were in need.  It didn’t matter whether it was a small goal or a HUGE goal, I wanted to help.  As a result, I have been able to donate to various causes that are near and dear to my heart.

No, I am not telling you all of this to toot my own horn. I NEVER do any of these projects without the help of my AMAZING customers, hostesses, family and friends. Individuals who believe in the cause, or just want to help. Okay, can you guess where this is leading…. YOU GOT IT!

At the request of my customers but also at the nudging from a few friends concerning the need – I am looking for sponsors for Chemo Comfort Bags…

The $35 sponsorship will pay for the actual bag and I will use 100% of my commission to fill them with a variety of things like a blanket/scarf, notepad, pen, bottle of water, lotion, warm socks, chap stick and crossword puzzle book.  Donations will be distributed to local cancer care centers to bring a smile to the face of those who are fighting this dreadful disease.

Last year, we delivered 31 bags to Ocean Medical Center in Brick.  This year by January 20th, my goal is 50.  I know this is a HUGE jump but I am confident that we are up for the challenge.  The bags will arrive in the beginning of February so that I can stuff them and deliver them around Valentine’s Day.

So, who is with me? For $35 you can bring a smile to someone who is fighting the cancer battle. This project is near and dear to my heart. It is a tribute to my Weston angels – Edythe, Elsie and Pop-pop – who all had cancer.

You can sponsor a bag in memory of someone, in honor of someone or just anonymously. Payments can be made via check or through Paypal at hopesgiftcloset@@comcast.net as a friend/family.  I can also accept credit card payments directly.

Won’t you help to make a difference today?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!